Lexus ES300 first drive review

Comfortable and cushy, the new Lexus ES brings most of the luxury experience, albeit at the expense of dynamic ability.

06 November 2013Toby Hagon

Lexus ES. Photo:

Lexus ES. Photo:

Lexus ES. Photo:

Lexus ES. Photo:

Lexus ES. Photo:

Lexus ES. Photo:

Lexus ES. Photo:

It has the quietest closing automated boot lid in the business and some panel gaps that have reduced from 5mm to 3.8mm.

Just in case you were wondering...

It's that sort of attention to detail that defines the latest addition - or re-addition - to the Lexusrange.

The ES that was once a sales hero for the brand before being unceremoniously dumped in 2006 is back, hoping to appeal to a loyal buyer base and tempt more buyers into a relatively affordable full sized luxury offering.

And Lexus executives openly admit the car doesn't have the dynamic appeal of its siblings, the smaller IS and similarly sized GS.

Instead the ES, which is priced from $63,000 (plus on-road and dealer costs) is about the comfort end of the market rather than the sporty end that is a tag line attached to anything with a nice set of wheels.

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Driving the front wheels, the ES goes against the large prestige grain but it makes up for it with acres of rear leg room (more than a metre, according to the claim, which is more than the regular version of Lexus's LS limousine that's more than double the price).

In the rear, then, the Lexus ES is a supremely comfortable machine. Even with long-legged adults in the front there?s still ample space for similarly sizeable specimens in the back. A large arm rest ? complete with ventilation and audio controls ? tops of the luxury experience.

But it?s the noise ? or lack thereof ? that cements the ES as a very comfortable cruiser.

Even at 100km/h there?s barely a whisper of wind noise, with the triple layer insulating glass and aerodynamic fins carefully placed on the outside no doubt helping the situation.

Road noise, too, is kept well in check on all but the poorest of surfaces.

And the engine is suitably muted. In the case of the 3.5-litre V6 (with 204kW of power) there?s some aural vibrancy at higher revs, but it?s remarkably hushed.

The 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid is even quieter, partly because the engine is often not running ? with electric motors instead powering the car ? and when it is it?s not very noticeable.

It?s that hybrid drivetrain ? producing 151kW of power ? that?s the most logical choice for the ES range.

Fitted to the ES300h models, it has a nice hit of performance from a standstill thanks to the muscle of the electric motor. Once the engine kicks in it continues to build speed confidently, something that helps it power well up hills and generally keep pace on flowing country roads.

As with other Toyotaand Lexus hybrids the modulation of the brake pedal isn?t quite as progressive as with regular brakes, thanks to the regenerative braking that teams traditional brakes with the reversing of the charge in the electric motor. It?s not bad but sometimes requires some more thought on average stops to ensure passengers aren?t nodding their heads.

The V6 is an altogether punchier drivetrain, with more muscle in the middle to high engine revs. The six-speed auto is generally smooth and makes the most of the solid torque at 3000-4000rpm.

But it comes at the expense of fuel use. Claimed consumption is 9.5 litres per 100km, or 43 per cent more than the hybrid (at 5.5L/100km).

It?s also off the pace of European rivals, suggesting the hybrid is the pick of the drivetrains for the ES.

It?s on the road where the ES starts to lose some marks, but really only if you push a bit harder into a bend.

It?s clear there?s more weight over its nose, so it can be less than elegant when a corner tightens. However we didn?t put it through its full dynamic paces so would be less comfortable deciding its fate when it comes to grip levels.

Lexus has given the car a thick-rimmed steering wheel, presumably to emphasise the claimed improvements over the previous generation (a car not sold in Australia) but there?s still not the tactility and agility common on German rivals.

Cruising on a freeway or dealing with city traffic is a different story, and the ES is a thoroughly accomplished machine that pampers occupants in a way few modern luxury cars can.

The increasing emphasis on dynamic prowess can take its toll on ride quality, or comfort. But Lexus has clearly made a decision to forgo some of the former to keep occupants more comfortable over bumps and lumps.

The ES does have some hints of cost cutting, though, something more evident when comparing it to others from the Lexus stables. While the basic design themes and presentation is shared with the IS and GS, the attention to detail isn't. Some of the knobs and trims, for example, might be silver coloured but they don't have the higher quality cool touch of the real metal used in those other examples.

The speedo, too, separates speeds in 10km/h increments and doesn't have a digital speedo as a backup.

It's a shame because the variable blue/red glow of the entire cluster (it changes for Eco and Sport modes) is classy, while the ambient lighting (we didn't see it because we only drove during the day) should lift the interior at night. The tacho that transforms into a power gauge on the hybrid model is also a neat touch.

So the Lexus ES300h and ES350 aren?t about to follow some of their rivals ? including the company?s own GS range ? through a flowing bend. But they will ensure occupants get most of the luxury experience without some of the finer dynamic excitement.

Lexus ES300h

Price: From $63,000, plus on-road and dealer costs

Drivetrain: 2.5-litre four-cylinder, electric motor

Power: 151kW

Transmission: CVT auto

Fuel use: 5.5L/100km

Lexus ES350

Price: From $65,000, plus on-road and dealer costs

Drivetrain: 3.5-litre V6

Power: 204kW

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Fuel use: 9.5L/100km

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The size of your tyre is located on the sidewall of your tyre.It will be similar to the sample below.